Circuit interrupter



' NOV. 21, 1944. RAWLINS 2,363,360

C IRCUI'I' INTERRUPTER Filed May 19, 1942- 3 Sheets-Sheet l WiTN ESSESZ INVENTOR Herer/Z Paw/02.5

Nov. 21,.l944. H. RAWLINS CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed May 19, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 2 QN w w 0% INVENTOR Hawker) l Eawl/n 5.

BY q 2 2 ATTORFigY NOV. 21, 1944. L RAWLINS 2,363,360

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed May 19, 1942 3 Sheecs-Sheet 3 w N 0 a 2 a 9,

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Hererfl. Band/'05 Patented Nov. 21, 1944 cmcm'r m'ramwr'raa Herbert L. Rawlins, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.. a corporation of Pennsylvania I Application May 19, 1942, Serial No. 443,586

- 7 30- Claims.

This invention relates to electric circuit interrupters in general, and more specifically to interrupters in the form of high-voltage disconnecting switches.

In the copending application of H. W. Graybill, Serial No. 433,552, filed March 6, 1942, now Patent No. 2,359,105, issued September 26, 1944, and assigned to the same assignee as this invention, there is disclosed a high-voltage disconnect switch of the type wherein the switch blade is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis to move a contact portion thereon to and away from a position between cooperating switch jaws, and wherein the blade is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to move the contact portion thereof into and out of high-pressure engage-' ment with the switch jaws.

This invention relates to certain improvements in switches of this type especially for use in'very high-voltage applications, and in certain novel combinations of a high-voltage switch of the type 7 described and a grounding switch.

'Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide an improved high-voltage disconnect switch of the type described which is simplified in form yet more efllcient in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disconnect switch having a blade pivotally movable about angularly related axes with novel means for moving the blade and positively controlling its movement about said axes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch of the type described wherein the blade operating mechanism is enclosed in a casing associated with the switch blade.

Another object of this invention is to provide a high-voltage disconnect switch of the type described with a grounding switch especially constructed for cooperation therewith.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel form of grounding switch especially adapted for high-voltage applications.

These and other objects of this invention-will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof whentaken in connection with the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a switch assembly constructed in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view partially in section of the switch blade and its support,

' Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section view of the switch shown in Fig. 2 taken substantially on line III-III thereof,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section of the blade supporting housing shown in Fig. 2 taken substantially on the line IV-IV thereof,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section view of the switch taken substantially on the line V-V of Fig. 2, with the blade actuating crank removed.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the switch shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and

Fig. '7 is a transverse section through the break end of the switch taken substantially on the line VIIVII of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the switch structure is shown as being mounted on a supporting base 2 which may be a metal channel or other structural shape. Three'insulator stacks t, 6 and 8 are adapted to be mounted on supporting base 2, and at the high, voltages for which this switch is especially designed these stacks may comprise a plurality of superposed porcelain insulators with the number of insulators in each stack being dependent upon the rated voltage of the switch. Insulator stacks 4 and 6 are adapted to be stationarily mounted on the supporting base, and to this end they are secured on mounting pedestals l0 which, in turn, are secured to base 2, for example, as by bolts or the like. The insulator stack 8 is mounted on an actuating shaft 12 adapted to be rotatably received in a bearing l4 supported by base 2, and the actuating shaft 12 may have an actuating crank I6 secured thereto, preferably below supporting base 2, as shown.

An insulator bracing member and blade support I 8 is adapted tospan insulator stacks 4 and 8, and this support may be in the form of a casting generally of inverted U shape in section. The end of bracing support 18 adjacent insulator stack 4 is provided with a flat plate extension 20 adap ed to be secured to the top of insulator stack-4, or example, as by bolts 22, and having a terminal pad extension 24 to which a line conductor may be secured, for example, as by a terminal lug 26. The other end of bracing support l8 has the top thereof cut away as at 25, and the sides 21 are extended and connected at their outer ends by a connecting plate 29 integrally formed therewith. The plate 29 is formed with a threaded opening in alignment with the axis of rotatable insulator stack 8, and cooperating bearing sleeves 28 and 3| are adapted to be threadedly engaged in the opening and with each other to confine a plurality of bearing balls 30 therebetween which are cooperable with the raceway grooves 32 formed in shaft 34 secured to the upper end of rotatable insulator stack 8.

As shown inFig. 2, bearing sleeve 3| is threadedly mounted in the aperture in connecting plate 28, and bearing sleeve 28 is threadedly mounted within bearing sleeve 3|, and the entire assembly is prevented from rotating when it has been properly adjusted by a bolt 38 threaded through an aperture in connecting plate 29 and engageable with any of a plurality of slots provided in a lower flange 33 on bearing sleeve 3 i. Accordingly, it is apparent that bracing support i8 is secured at one end to stationary. insulator stack 4 and at its other end provides a bearing support for rotatable insulator stack 8.

Shaft 34 mounted on the upper end of rotatable insulator stack 8 is provided with an integral angularly extending actuating crank 38 within a mechanism housing portion 48 formed integral with blade support 48. The blade support 48 also preferably is formed of a single casting, and has at one end thereof spaced pairs of spaced ears 42 for receiving between each pair of ears an enlarged bearing part 44 formed at thetop outer edge of each side 21 of bracing support i8. Ears 42 and bearin parts 44 are provided with aligned apertures for receiving pivot pins 48 to pivotally mount blade support 48 on an axis passing through the axis of rotation of insulator stack 8 substantially at right angles thereto. The housing portion 48 for enclosing the blade actuating mechanism is provided with an opening 58 for receiving the upper end of shaft 34 and actuating crank 38. The opposite side of the housing is provided with a bearing aperature 52 for rotatably supporting a tubular switch blade 54 substantially on its longitudinal axis. Tubular switch blade 54 is provided at its inner end with a cylindrical plug 58 received in bearing aperture 52, with the walls of the bearin aperture engaging cylindrical plug 58 between the end of tubular switch blade 54 and the flanged end 58 of plug 58 to prevent relative endwise movement of the switch blade. Plug 58 is secured relative to switch blade 54 by bolts 82 passing through the blade and plug and through a contact ring 88 mounted on switch blade 54. The flanged end portion 58 of blade plug 58 is provided within housing 48 with a forked extension or crank 84 directed angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of switch blade 54 andhaving a, slot so as to receive an intermediate portion of actuating crank 38.

The outer end of actuating crank 38 is provided with an anti-friction roller 88 adapted to be received in a groove 88 formed on the inner wall of housing 48. Groove 88 is arranged so that all portions thereof are equidistant from the axis of rotatable insulator 8 and is provided with a portion 18 extending in a horizontal plane in the path of movement of roller 86 and gradually merging into a portion 12 which extends at an angle to the plane of movement of actuating roller 88. The inclination of portion 12 of groove 88, reverses at substantially its midpoint corresponding to about a 45 position of the blade. A cover plate 18 is provided for a lower opening in blade support 48 so that ready access may be had to the interior of housing 48.

It will now be apparent that upon rotation of insulator stack 8 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, angularly extending crank 38 will travel first in portion 18 of groove 88 in housing 48 so that this movement of the insulator will have no effect on blade support 48 and it will remain stationary. However, since fork 84 on blade 54 is in engagement with actuatin crank 38, and the greatest component of movement of the actuating crank is laterally of fork 84, it will be apparent that blade 54 will be rotated a considerable amount, preferably about 60, during movement of actuating roller 88 in portion 18 of slot 88. As soon as the actuating roller begins to enter inclined portion 12 of slot 88, blade support 48 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction about pivot pins 48. Since portion I8 of slot 88 merges gradually with inclined portion 12, there will be a gradual acceleraticn of blade support 48 in its pivotal movement about pins 48 to a maximum speed. Furthermore, since pivotal movement of blade support 48 is not initiated until after substantial angular movement of actuating crank 38 from the position in which it is substantially aligned with blade 54, it will be apparent that when roller 88 is moving in portion 12 of slot 88, crank 88 will have but a very small component of movement in a direction laterally of fork 54, so that little,

if any, blade rotation about its longitudinal axis in bearing 82 will occur. After actuating roller 88 enters portion 12 of the slot the movement of the blade support 48 is maintained at a substantially constant speed until full open position is reached. This result is obtained by properly forming the slot so that portion 12 and '64 extend at an angle of close to relative to the plane of movement of roller 88 at any instantaneous portion of blade support 48. Because in the movement of roller 88, blade support 48 also moves in a plane at right angles, the inclination of the slot reverses adjacent portion 84 so that at full open position of the blade, slot portion 14 will be at substantially right angles to the plane of movement of roller 88. By this arrangement of actuating mechanism, it is possible in moving the blade in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, to first rotate the blade about its longitudinal axis while holding the blade against any movement about pivot pins 48, and thereafter to provide a gradually accelerated movement up to a constant speed about pivot pins 48 with substantially no rotation of the blade about its longitudinal axis and with the blade positively maintained at a predetermined angular position relative to its longitudinal axis After blade support 48 has attained a position substantially 90 from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, insulator stack 8 may be rotated in the opposite direction to return the parts to their original position. In this movement upon such rotation of the insulator stack, the parts will be moved in a, reverse sequence, that is, blade support 48 will be first moved at a constant speed, then decelerated to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 without substantial rotation of blade 54 about its longitudinal axis. After this the blade will be rotated about its longitudinal axis while actuating roller 88 is travelling in portion 18 of slot 88, without any movement of blade support 48 about Pivot pin 48.

It will be observed that the mechanism described above provides a positive control for sequentially rotating a switch blade about its longitudinal axis and pivotally moving it about a transverse axis, such that these movements are required to take place sequentially and substantially independently. of each other. Furthermore, this result is obtained by a relatively simple construction comprising only three moving parts, that is, actuating crank 38, blade support 48 and blade 54. The actuating crank 38 has, in

spring supporting yoke.

' eiiect, lost motion with blade support 40 during the first part of its movement from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and as soon as it starts to rotate support 40 about pivot pins 48, actuating crank 38 begins to have substantially lost motion with switch blade 54.

In order to assist in lifting the switch blade a counter-balancing spring arrangement for the blade is provided, preferably housed within U- shaped bracing support I0. Blade 7 supporting casting 40 is provided with integral, spaced, downwardly and rearwardly extending arms I8 which are forked a at 80 at the outer ends thereof for receiving, respectively, the'ends 82 of a The ends of the yoke and forks 80 are apertured to receive pivot pins 84 for pivotally connecting the blade support 40 and spring yoke. An elongated spring guide member 88 and spring supporting projection 90 are adapted to be secured to the'yoke as by a screw 86, and the coil compression counter-balancing spring 92 is adapted to be seated at one end over projection 90 and at its other end against the end wall of bracin support I8 and over projection 94 thereon. It will be observed that spring guide 88 extends longitudinally along and closely adjacent counter-balancing spring 92 to guide the same and prevent buckling thereof. Since spring 92 is under compression with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, it isobvious that it will exert a force on the supporting yoke and arms I8 of blade support 40 tending to rotate the blade support in a counter-clockwise direction about pivot pins 46. Preferably the spring 92 is chosen to be of such strength and arranged to be compressed an amount to exert a force which will substantially compensate for the weight of the projecting parts of blade 54 and supporting housing 40. The top of bracing support I8 is preferably provided with an integral stop projection 96 arranged at the inner end of cutout portion 25 and positioned to be engageable with stop screw 98 on blade supporting housing 40, to limit movement of the housing in a counter-clockwise direction about pivot pins 46.

Connecting plate 29 for the sides 21 of spacer support I8 projects beyond the sides 21 to support the bight portion I of a generally U-shaped contact jaw structure including spaced contact jaws I04 flared at their outer ends to receive the switch blade and adopted for engagement with opposed contact projections I06 on contact ring 60 of switch blade 54. Preferably, contact jaws I04 are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the extent of contact projections I06 so as to be stressed apart when contact projections I06 are positioned laterally of the switch jaws to provide a high pressure engagement therewith. Switch jaws I04 are preferably of a resilient conducting material, such, for example, as aphosphor bronze alloy. Blade support 40 is provided with an integral h od portion I08 adapted to overlie contact jaws I04 in the closed position of the switch, and the hood is provided at its outer end with an integral bearing ring I I0 for providing a bearing support for blade 54 spaced from hearing aperture 52.

The outer end of switch blade 54 is internally threaded'for receiving a threaded plu II2 having a flange II4 to engage the outer end of the tubular blade and an integral flattened contact portion H6 and an outer corona sphere H8.

Flattened contact portion I I 6 of the blade is preferably wider than the bladeas shown in Fig. 6 for engagement between spaced contact jaws I20 and I22 integrally connected at their lower ends and secured to a line terminal plate I24 which is in turn mounted on insulator stack 8. for example. as by bolts I23. It will be noted that contact jaw I20 is provided with an indented portion I26 to provide a projection at the inner side thereof for a purpose which will be described.

In the closed position of the switch shown in the drawings, contact portion H8 01' the blade and contact projections I08 thereof are adapted to be positioned transversely of their respective contact jaws so as to be in high pressure wedging engagement therewith. Now upon rotation of insulator stack 8 in a direction to open the switch, it will be observed that no'vertical movement of the switch blade will occur until after the blade has rotated a considerable amount, preferably about 60, to position contact portions H8 and I06 thereon at a considerable angle relative to their closed circuit portions wherein they are out of engagement with their respective contact jaws so as to offer no opposition to pivotal movement of the blade and its support about pivot pins 48. The dotted line showin in Fig. 7 illustrates the position of contact portion H8 or the blade before any vertical movement thereof occurs. Obviously, after rotation of blade 54 about its longitudinal axis to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, the blade may be readily moved vertically when actuating roller 68 enters inclined portion 12 of slot 68 in the mechanism housing with the aid of counter-balancing spring 92, it being necessary only to overcome the weight of the parts to be moved. It will also be noted that because substantially all of the rotation of blade 54 about its lon tudinal axis occurs prior to any vertical movement of the blade, and because fork 64 on the blade is always in engagement with actuating crank 38 irrespective of the position thereof, the blade will be retained in an angular position about its longitudinal axis such that the contact portions thereof will remain in an inclined position where they will be freely received between switchjaws I04, I20, and I22, respectively. In a switch closing operation, this is important to avoid undue strain on the relatively tall insulator stacks necessary in high-voltage applications.

'In this connection, it will be noted-that the closing movement of the switch is substantially in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of insulator stack 6 so as not to exert any bending stress on the insulator structure, and since the switch blade is not rotated into high pressure engagement with the contact jaw until after the contact portions I06 and II 6 on the blade are positioned between the jaws, and since this occurs without any vertical movement of the blade, it will also be obvious that there is no lateral bending stress exerted on the insulator stack 6 by the high pressure engagement of the blade in the contact jaws. In closing the switch, and after the blade has been moved from a full open position wherein stop'screw 98 is in engagement with stop projection 96 to the position wherein contact portions I06 and II 6 thereof are positioned between their respective switch jaws and vertical movement of the blade has ceased by virtue of the entrance of the stemating roller as within portion to 'of1slot"f68 in housing 40, it will be observed that uponrotation of the blade about its longitudinal axis one edge thereof will engage projection I26 on switch jaw I20 to prevent movement of thi edge out from between jaws I20 and I22 and cause a tact portion IIG with Jaw I22 in a direction downwardly between the jaws.

It will be observed that a 60 rotation of blade 54 about its longitudinal axis in addition to a 90 rotation of the switch blade about transverse ing few moving parts and provides high contact pressures at both the hinge and break ends of the switch blade in its closed circuit position.

The grounding switch construction, which is especially adapted for use with high-voltage disconnecting switch constructions of the type described, may comprise an actuating shaft I28 actuated from any desired source of power which may be remote from the switch location, and this shaft may be coupled with a blade actuating shaft I32, for example, as by a coupling I30. The blade actuating shaft is mounted in spaced bearings I34 on supporting base 2, and may extend entirely across the base to be connected with othe switches in a plural phase installation. The grounding switch blade I36 is adapted to be supported from base 2 by a supporting link I38 pivoted at one end to an end of the switch blade as at I40, and pivoted at its other end to the base 2 as at I42. An actuating link I 44 for grounding switch blade I36 is pivotally connected with the blade at a point I46 spaced from the pivot point I40 of supporting link I38, and the other end of the actuating link is secured to actuating shaft I32. It will be observed that the links I38 and I44 form in effect a parallel linkage support for blade I36, and the links are so proportioned relative to each other and to their points of connection to their supporting means and to blade I36, that'upon rotation of shaft I28 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, blade I36 will be caused to follow a substantially arcuate path until it reaches a position substantially in alignment with the opening in contact socket I60, whereupon the blade will be moved substantially rectilinearly into the socket. Since this latter movement of the blade is substantially longitudinally of insulating stack 6, it will be observed that this particular mounting of the blade likewise will not subject the insulator stack to any substantial bending stress. In a circuit opening movement, shaft I 28 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and blade I36 is withdrawn substantially rectilinearly from socket I60 and thereafter moves in a substantially pivotal manner to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Blade I36 is preferably electrically grounded to base 2 by a flexible shunt connection I48. Blade actuating shaft I32 is also preferably provided with a crank I50 pivotally connected to the closed end of a cylindrical sp'ring housing I52. The other end of the spring housing I52 is open to receive a spring support I54 formed on a bolt mounted in a fixed supporting member I56. Coil compression springs I58 and I59 are adapted to wiping engagement of the opposite edge of conbe compressed between support I54 and the closed end of housing I62 to bias actuating shaft I28 in a clockwise direction tending to move grounding switch blade I36 towards its closed circuit position to thereby counter-balance the weight thereof and render the operation quite easy. Spring I66 is shorter than spring I58 so as to exert a force only during the first part of the closing movements of blade I36 when the mechanical advantage of the operating mechanism is relatively low. The contact socket I60 for the grounding switch is preferably mounted on a supporting plate I62 secured to insulator stack 6 by bolts I23 and extending laterally thereof so that grounding switch blade I36 will be movable in a plane parallel with the plane passing through the insulator stacks.

From the foregoing it is believed to be apparent that this invention provides a disconnect switch of the type wherein the blade is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis as well as about a transverse axis for movement toward and away from a position in proximity to at least one line contact and when in said position it is rotatable about its longitudinal axis into and out of high pressure engagement with respect to the line contact. Furthermore, by the construction herein disclosed, the movement of the blade about its own longitudinal axis is accomplished without movement of the blade about its transverse axis and movement of the blade about its transverse axis is accomplished with relatively no rotation of the blade about its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the actuating means for the blade is positively associated therewith to positively cause the blade movement to take place in the sequence outlined and prevent any undesired sequence or operation of the blade to occur. This novel function is obtained by the use of a relatively simple construction involving but three movable parts and wherein all the moving parts as well as the counter-balancing spring for the blade are suitably enclosed in a novel manner so that the operating parts of the switch will be properly protected and enable the switch to be eflicient in operation and have a long life. Furthermore, the main disconnecting switch is of a type especially useful i very high-voltage applications, in that substantially no bending stress is applied to the relatively long insulating stacks required, because such insulating structures are relatively weak with respect to such forces. Moreover, this novel disconnecting switch is especially adapted for cooperation in very highvoltage applications with the grounding switch construction disclosed in which the switch blade engages the grounding contact with a movement in a direction longitudinally of the insulator stack to thereby provide a combined switching arrangement which is particularly efficient especially for high-voltage application.

Having defined preferred embodiments of this invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is desired that the invention be not limited to this particular embodiment, inasmuch as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be made in this particular structure without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is desired that the invention be interpreted as broadly as possible, and that it be limited only as required by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch, a blade support, a switch blade mounted on said support for rotation substantially about its longitudinal axis, means pivotally ascasco mounting said support for movement about an axis at an angle to said axis of blade rotation, and rotatable actuating means for said switch having a direct positive and non-yielding engagement at all times with said blade, said actuating means having a separate direct, positive and nonyielding engagement at all times with said support during movements of said blade in opposite directions about both of said axes for positively controlling such movements thereof about both of said axes.

2. In a switch, a blade support, a switch blade mounted on said support for rotation substantially about its longitudinal axis, means pivotally mounting said support for movement about an axis at an angle to said axis of blade rotation, and rotatable actuating means for said switch having a direct positive lost motion connection with said blade and a separate, direct, positive lost motion connection with said support, said connections arranged so that the lost motion of the respective connections occurs substantially entirely successively in response to continuous rotation of said actuating means in one .direction, whereby movement of said blade about said axes occurs successively.

3. In a switch, a blade support, a switch blade mounted on said support for rotation substantially about its longitudinal axis, means pivotally mounting said support for movement about an axis at an angle to said axis of blade rotation, and actuating means for said switch rotatable about an axis disposed at anangle to both of the aforesaid axes, said actuating means directly engaging said blade and separately directly engaging said support for positively controlling movements thereof about said axes.

4. In a switch, a blade support, a switch blade mounted on said support for rotation substantially about its longitudinal axis, means pivotally mounting said support for movement about an axis at an angle to said axis of blade rotation, and rotatable crank means having a direct controlling connection with said blade and a separate direct controlling connection with said support for positively controlling movements thereof about said axes.

5. In a switch, a blade support, a switch blade mounted on said support for rotation substantially about its longitudinal axis, means pivotally mounting said support for movement about an axis at an angle to said axis of blade rotation, rotatable drive crank means, a slot provided on said support for receiving a part movable with said crank means during at least a portion of the movement of said crank means in one direction to move said support about its pivot axis, and said crank means having another part directly engaging said blade to positively control the angular position of said blade about its longitudinal axis throughout the movement of said crank means in said one direction.

6. In a switch, a blade support, a switch blade mounted on said support for. rotation substantially about its longitudinal axis, means pivotally mounting said support for movement about an axis at an angle to said axis of blade rotation, rotatable drive crank means, a slot provided on said support for receiving a part movable with said crank means, driven crank means on said blade embodying a slot for receiving another portion of said drive crank means, and said drive crank means arranged relative to said slots so that upon continuous movement thereof in one direction said parts thereof move substantially laterally and longitudinally'of said slots, respec tively, during a portion of said movement in one direction and move substantially longitudinally and laterally of said'slots, respectively, during another portion of said movement in one direction.

7. In a switch, switch blade means, a supporting housing enclosing one end of said blade means, means pivotally supporting said housing, an opening in said housinglocated substantially on the axis of said pivot, and rotatable actuating means for said blade means projecting into said housing through the opening thereof and directly engaging means fixed with respect to an inner wall of said housing for pivotally actuating said blade means.

8. In a switch. switch blade means including a pivoted supporting housing, an opening in said housing, rotatable actuating means for said blade means projecting into said housing through the opening thereof, said actuating means including crank means within said housing, a wall portion of said housing being formed with a slot for receiving a portion of said crank means, at least a portion of said slot being inclined relative to the plane of movement of said crank portion to ,cause pivotal movement of said blade means upon rotation of said actuating means.

9. In a switch, a switch blade, blade supporting housing means, mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially transverse axis, said blade rotatably mounted in said housing and projecting therefrom, rotatable crank means for actuating said blade, a pin and slot drive connection between said means, said slot having at least one end thereof extending in the idrection of movement of said crank means, the portion of said slot extending toward the other end thereof forming a gradually increasing angle with the direction of movement of said crank means, and a separate drive connection from said crank means directly to said blade, whereby said blade is first rotated without pivotal movement of said housing means, and thereafter gradually accelerated pivotal movement of said housing occurs upon rotation of said crank means in a direction from said one end of said slot toward the other end of said slot.

10. In a switch, a switch, a blade supporting housing blade means mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially transverse axis, said blade rotatably mounted in said housing and projecting therefrom, rotatable crank means for actuating said blade, a pin and slot drive connection between said means, said slot having at least one end thereof extending in the direction of movement of said crank means, and the portion of said slot extending toward the other end thereof forming a gradually increasing angle with the direction of movement of said crank means up to a predetermined maximum angle, and a separate drive connection from said crank means directly to said blade, whereby said blade is first rotated without pivotal movement of said housing means, and thereafter gradually accelerated pivotal movement of said housing occurs upon rotation of said crank means in a direction from said one end of said slot toward the other end of said slot to a maximum speed which is maintained to the end of its aforesaid movement.

11. In a switch, switch blade means including a pivoted supporting housing, an opening in said housing located substantially on the pivot axis thereof, and rotatable actuating means for said blade means projecting into said housing through the opening thereof with the axis of rotation of said actuating means extending at an angle to and intersecting the pivot axis of said housing, and said actuating means directly engaging means fixed with respect to an inner wall of said housing for pivotally actuating said blade means.

12. In a switch, a pivoted blade supporting housing, a switch blade having the inner end thereof extending through an aperture in said housing and rotatably supported by said housing on an axis disposed at an angle to the pivot axis of said housing, rotatable actuating means extending into said housing through another open.- ing, and means within said housing operatively connecting said actuating means directly to said housing, and separate means directly connecting said actuating means to the inner end of said blade.

13. In a switch, a pivoted blade supporting housing, a switch blade having the inner end thereof extending through an aperture in said housing and rotatably mounted on an axis disposed at an angle to the pivot axis of said housing, rotatable actuating means extending into said housing through another opening, said actuating means including crank means disposed within said housing, a slotted crank in said housing on the inner end of said blade, a slot formed on inner wall portions of said casing, and said crank means having portions thereof received in said slots during rotation thereof for eifecting positively controlled movements of said blade and housing.

14. In a high voltage disconnect switch, a

switch blade supporting base, a line contact spaced from said base, a switch blade, said blade being mounted on said base for substantially pivotal movement to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, said blade also being rotatable about substantially the longitudinal axis thereof into and out of high pressure engagement with said line contact when in said position in proximity with said contact, actuating means operable in a circuit opening operation for rotating the blade about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact without pivotal movement of the blade and for thereafter pivotally moving said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, said actuating means including an operating crank and means on said blade positioned to continuously engage said crank upon rotation thereof in one direction including a part movable solely pivotally with said blade and another part movable during rotational and pivotal movement with said blade, each of said parts separately and directly engaging said crank, whereby to cause said successive blade movements and operable during movement of said blade about one axis to positively prevent substantial blade movement about its other axis.

15. In a high voltage disconnect switch, a switch blade supporting base, a line contact spaced from said base, a switch blade, said blade being mounted on said base for substantially pivotal movement to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, said blade also being rotatable about substantially the longitudinal axis thereof into and out of high pressure engagement with said line contact when in said position in proximity with said contact, actuating means operable in a circuit opening operation for rotating the blade about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact without pivotal movement of the blade and for thereafter pivotally moving said blade to a position spaced away from said contact while said blade is maintained substantially against movement about its longitudinal axis, said actuating means effective in a circuit closing operation to cause pivotal movement of said blade to a position in proximity with said contact while maintaining said blade substantially against movement about its longitudinal axis and for thereafter rotating said blade about its longitudinal axis into high pressure engagement with said contact without pivotal movement thereof, and said actuating means including an operating crank and means on said blade positioned to continuously engage said crank upon rotation thereof in one direction including a part movable solely pivotally with said blade and another part movable during rotational and pivotal movement with said blade, whereby to cause said successive blade movements and operable direction including a part movable solely pivotally with said blade and another part movable durin rotational and pivotal movement with said blade, each of said parts separately and directly engaging said crank, whereby to cause said successive blade movements and operable prevent substantial blade movement about its other axis.

16. In a high voltage disconnect switch, a switch blade supporting base, a line contact spaced from said base, a switch blade, said blade being mounted on said base for substantially pivotal movement to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, said blade also being rotatable about substantially the longitudinal axis thereof into and out of high pressure en gagement with said line contact when in said position in proximity with said contact, actuating means operable in a circuit opening operation for rotating the blade about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact without pivotal movement of the blade and for thereafter pivotally moving said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, and said actuating means including an operating crank and separate means associated with said blade engageable with said crank for causing said blade movements, respectively.

17. In a high voltage disconnect switch, a switch blade supporting base, a line contact spaced from said base, a. switch blade, means mounting said blade on said base for substantially pivotal movement to and away from a. position in proximity to said contact, said blade being rotatable on said mounting means about substantially the longitudinal axis thereof into and out of high pressure engagement with said line contact when in said position in proximity with said contact, actuating means operable in a circuit opening operation for rotating the blade about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact without pivotal movement of the blade and for thereafter pivotally moving said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, said actuating means including an operating crank and slots on said blade and blade mounting means for receiving portions of said crank, said slots having portions inclined relative to the direction of movement of said crank positioned to be successively engaged by said crank upon rotation thereof in one direction to cause said successive blade movements and operable during movement of said blade about one axis to positively, prevent substantial blade movement about its other axis.

18. In a high voltage disconnect switch, a switch blade supporting base, a line contact spaced from said base, a switch blade, a blade supporting housing, saidblade having one end extending through an aperture into said hous-' ing and supported therein for rotation substantially about the longitudinal axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing on said base for movement of said blade to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, and rotatable actuating means also extending into said housing and operativel directly connected therein to said blade, and said actuating means having a separate direct connection to said housing, so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact and thereafter said housing is pivotally moved to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact.

19. In a switch, spaced line contacts, a switch blade mounted adjacent one of said contacts for substantially pivotal movement to and away from a position in proximity to said contacts, said blade also being rotatable about substantially the longitudinal axis thereof into and out of high pressure engagement with said line contacts when in said position in proximity with said contacts, actuating means operable in a circuit opene' said housing so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pres sure engagement with said contact and thereafter said housing is pivotally moved to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, a counterbalancing spring reacting between said blade and base, and said base including a covering portion overlying said spring.

22. In a switch, a plurality of supporting insulators one or which is rotatable, a switch blade support in which the outer end of said one insulator -is rotatably mounted, a line contact on another of said insulators, a blade supporting housing, said blade havingone end extending through an aperture into said housing and supotally moving said blade to a position spaced extending through an aperture into said housing and supported therein for rotation substantially about the longitudinal axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing adjacent one of said contacts, rotatable actuating-means also extending into said housing and directly connected therein to said blade, and said actuating means having a separate direct connection to said housing so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contacts and thereafter said housing is pivotally moved to move said blade to a positionspaced away from said contacts, and said housing including a hood portion adapted to cover a portion of said blade and said one contact when said blade is at said position in proximity with said contacts.

21. In a switch, a switch blade supporting base, a line contact horizontally spaced from said base, a switch blade, a blade supporting housing, said blade having one and extending through an aperture into said housing and supported therein for rotation substantially about the longitudina1 axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing on said base for vertical movement of said blade to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, rotatable actuating means also extending into said housing and directly connected therein to said blade, said actuating means having a separate direct connection to ported therein for rotation substantially about the longitudinal axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing on said support for movement of said blade to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, said rotatable insulator having a crank portion also extending into said housing and directly connected therein to said blade, and said crank portion having a separate direct connection to said housing so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact and thereafter said housing is pivotally moved to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact.

' 23. In a switch, a plurality of supporting insulators one of which is rotatable, a switch blade support ofsubstantially inverted U-shape secured to another insulator and having a bearing portion in which the outer end of said one insulator is rotatably mounted a line contact on anotherof said insulators, a blade supporting housing, said blade having one end extending through an aperture into said housing and supported thereinfor rotation substantially about th longitudinal axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing on said support for movement of said blade to and away from a position in proximityto said contact, said rotatable insulator having a crank portion also extending into said housing and directly connected therein to said blade, said crank portion havin a separate direct connection with said housin so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact and thereafter said housing is pivotally moved to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, and a counterbalancing spring within said support and reacting between said support and blade.

24. In a high voltage disconnecting switch having a, plurality of substantially aligned, spaced, long supporting insulator stacks one of which is rotatable substantially about its longitud nal axis, line contact. jaws on another of said insulator stacks, a, blade support secured to still another of said insulator stacks and having a bearing portion rotatably receiving said one insulator to brace the same, a blade supporting housing, said blade having one end extending through an aperture into said housing and supported therein for rotation substantially about the longitudinal axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing on said support'for movement of said blade to and away from a position in which a contact portion at the other end of said blade is positioned between said Jaws, said contact portion being elongated in cross section and of a size to engage said jaws with a high pressure when positioned substantially transversely thereof, and rotatable actuating means also extending into said housing and directly connected therein to said blade, a separate direct connection between said actuating means and housing so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a, circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact and thereafter said housing is pivotally moved to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, whereby said line contact-carrying insulator stack is substantially relieved of all lateral stress by operation of said switch, and said blade is supported on the bracing means for the other of said insulators.

25. In a high voltage disconnecting switch having a plurality of substantially aligned, spaced, long supporting insulator stacks one of which is rotatable substantially about its longitudinal axis, line contact jaws on another of said insulator stacks, a blade support secured to still another of said insulator stacks and having a, bearing portion rotatably receiving said one insulator to brace the same, a blade supporting housing, said blade having one end extending through an aperture into said housing and supported therein for rotation substantially about the longitudinal axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing on said support for movement of said blade to and away from a position in which a contact portion at the other end of said blade is positioned between said jaws, said contact portion being elongated in cross section and of a size to engage said jaws with a high pressure when positioned substantially transversely thereof, and rotatable actuating means also extending into said housing and directly connected therein to said blade, a separate direct connection between said actuating means and housing so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact and thereafter said housing is pivotally moved to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, a grounding switch contact on said line contact, a. grounding switch blade mounted adjacent the base of said contact-carrying insulator stack for movement substantially longitudinally of said stack into and out of engagement with said grounding switch contact, whereby said line contact-carrying insulator stack is substantially relieved of all lateral stress by operation of said switch, and said blade is supported on the bracing means for the other of said insulators.

26. In a high voltage disconnectingswitch construction, a plurality of spaced, long supporting insulator stacks, a line contact on one of said 27. In a high voltage disconnecting switch construction, a plurality of spaced, long supporting insulator stacks, a line contact on one of said stacks, main switch blade means mounted on another of said stacks for movement into and out of engagement with said contact substantially in a direction longitudinally of its associated stack, and grounding switch blade means mounted adjacent the base of said contact-carrying insulator stack for substantially pivotal movement in a plane extending towards said other stack to and from a position in proximiy with said contact and substantially longitudinally of said one stack into and out of pressure engagement with said contact when at said position in proximity therewith, whereby said contact-carrying insulator stack is substantially relieved of all lateral bending stress by operation of said blade means.

28. In a switch, a plurality of supporting insulators one of which is rotatable, a switch blade support secured to another insulator and having a bearing portion in which the outer end of said one insulator is rotatably mounted, a line contact on another of said insulators, an extension on said support extending from said one insulator toward said line contact, a second line contact on said extension, a blade supporting housing, said blade having one end extending through an aperture into said housing and mounted therein for rotation substantially about th longitudinal axis of said blade, means pivotally mounting said housing on said support for movement of said blade to and away from a position in proximity to said contacts, said rotatable insulator having a crank portion also extending into said housing and operatively connected therein to said blade and housing so that upon continuous rotation of said actuating means in one direction in a circuit opening operation said blade is rotated about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contacts and thereafter is pivotally moved to a position spaced away from said contacts.

29. In a high voltage disconnect switch, a switch blade supporting base, a line contact spaced from said base, a switch blade, means mounting said blade on said base for substantially pivotal movement to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, said blade being rotatable on said mounting means about substantially the longitudinal axis thereof into and out of high pressure engagement with said lin contact when in said position in proximity with said contact, actuating means operable continuously in one direction in a circuit opening operation for first rotating said blade about said longitudinal axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact and for thereafter pivotally moving said mounting means to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, said actuating means during said first part of its opening movement directly engaging said mounting means to positively prevent [pivotal movement thereof, and said actuating means during the second part of its opening movement directly engaging said blade to positively prevent substantial rotation thereof. 1

30. In a high voltage disconnect switch, a switch blade supporting base, a line contact spaced from said base, a switch blade, means mounting said blade on said base for substantially pivotal movement to and away from a position in proximity to said contact, said blade being rotatable on said mounting means about substantially the longitudinal axis thereof into and out of high pressure engagement with said line contact when. in said position in proximity with said contact, actuating means operable continuously in one direction in a circuit opening operation for first rotating said blade about said longitudi nai axis out of high pressure engagement with said contact and for thereafter pivotally moving said mounting means to move said blade to a position spaced away from said contact, said actuating means during said first part, of its opening movement directly engaging said mounting means to positively \prevent pivotal movement thereof, said actuating means during the second part of its opening'movem'ent directly engaging said blade to positively prevent rotation thereof,

2,aea,sao 9 said actuating means being operable continuously in a reverse direction to close said switch by first pivotally moving said mounting means to move said blade into proximity with said contact and thereafter rotate said'blade about said longitudinal axis into high pressure engagement with said contact, said actuating-means during said first part of its switch closing movement directly engaging said blade to positively prevent substantial rotational movement thereof, and said actu ating means during the final part of its switch closing movement directly engaging said mounting means to positively prevent pivotal movement thereof.

HERBERT L. RAWLINS; 

